All posts in category Wedding Planning

Ok so with everything that has been going on…it feels a little bit like we are kind of starting over with the wedding planning. Just a little. Luckily, we were able to keep ALL of our vendors, which was incredible! But, we have learned a few things through this process that I thought I would share…

1)Soak up the Initial Excitement & Celebration

Be present in the moments that will go flying by…the time goes by way faster than you can ever imagine. I think it’s important to really soak up all of the love during this really special time. Pop the champagne, kick off your heels and really delve into that issue of Martha Stewart Weddings that you have been eyeing for umm 6 months or so before you got engaged.

2) COMMUNICATE

The good, the bad, the ugly…share everything with your partner. I’m not talking relationship communication…that goes without saying. But, wedding communication is HUGE! The saying, two heads are better than one, is a saying because it’s true. Trust! Keeping something from your soon to be spouse because you think you are protecting them is not advisable…even if it seems to be. If you really want something to be part of your BIG day talk about it, even if it seems like it might not fit in with what your significant other may want or it may not seem to be in the budget. If you talk it through you may come up with a great solution. Instead of holding onto something and being disappointed or bitter without thinking it through.

3) Spreadsheets are your new way of life.

Well that is if they weren’t before, like me. They are SOOO many variables and they change constantly. Excel will save some of your sanity. Create one for your overall budget, your floral budget, your catering budget, your everything! It makes your life so much more simple.

4) Know your limitations.

While getting married and planning a wedding is incredible…you have found the love of your life, you want to declare your love to the world, and start a life together. It doesn’t get much better than that! It is also pretty stressful: emotionally, mentally, physically…. Know what you can and can’t do and don’t sign up for more than you can handle. It makes things way harder or you and your partner when you do. If you really just can’t handle that DIY project tonight, just share that with your partner…if you need a break from working out, take it. Something’s gotta give sometimes. Just make sure you share that in a supportive, loving way (see #2).

5) Be Proactive.

You never know what curve balls life might throw you. Be as proactive as possible, which will help you bounce back from some hiccups. When we were weighing our options about whether or not we would have to push back the wedding we called ALL of our vendors to see what would happen if we did postpose the wedding. We asked about our deposits, their availability to rebook late in the year, etc. Once we had all of the facts we made a decision together and got to work. I was immediately researching ways to infuse a little more fall into our original spring wedding. We have come up with a few ideas that we are both really excited about.

Hey guys! Time for some real talk…the Mr. lost his job, which is obviously a really difficult, stressful experience. Then you add-in the fact that we are planning for and paying for the majority of our wedding and you have your basic nightmare. The past few days we have been frantically trying to make our wedding date work and figure out a plan to survive on just one income. But, in life something has got to give and it looks like it is going to be the wedding date. Obviously, we are both devastated! While we are more excited than anything to get married, we want to make sure we are financially responsible and delaying the wedding is really the only option. It is really important for us to start our marriage together without resorting to adding any debt to make it happen. If we are lucky it will just be a few months, but we haven’t gotten a final answer from our venue yet. So keep us in your thoughts & prayers. We will update everyone with more info as we get it.

Hopefully, I can glean some sound advice to other brides-to-be out there to help you prepare for something like this as we go through it all and turn it into some great blog posts. I am trying to be positive…indulge me.

As we have booked most of our major vendors for the wedding, I have begun to really focus on all of the little details. My favorite! But, as the inspiration strikes with all of these details the Mr. and I have hit a bit of a wall. A lack of communication wall…lucky for me his response has been a heartfelt reminder of what really matters. He has been trying his best to be patient as I stubbornly insist that these details are what really matter to me. While, that is true they do matter to me… I obviously know the most important thing is that I am lucky enough to marry the love of my life and that is what really matters. I mean look at that face how could you not love it:

But, I would be lying if I said that it has been easy to let go of some of the details that would have been oh so cute, but just outside of our budget. So, we have come up with a way of handling all of these inspired conversations and have knocked down the lack of communication wall. Yay! Planning a wedding can be stressful and you both maybe on different pages, but taking the time to catch up and really talk goes a long way. I feel like these lessons we learn as we plan our making us a better couple and will make us each a better person. While, the planning maybe stressful and there are bumps along the way I definitely think it is all worth it when you grow as a couple through it all.